Research shows encouraging co-operation between driving schools and parents in teaching learners how to drive may be beneficial in increasing the quality of instruction, and the quantity of learner driver experience.

Therefore, it makes sense to me to take advantage of this federally funded program.

With new drivers at greatest crash risk in the first six months of solo driving, this free Keys2drive lesson goes some way in helping improve safety on our roads.

But drivers, particularly young drivers, can and do take risks that have little to do with how much skill or knowledge they have, and more to do with their attitude and mindset.

Driver training, be it with a driving instructor, friends, relatives or a combination of these, focuses on basic car control skills, driving techniques, road law knowledge and initial driver licensing.

But improving knowledge and skill does not necessarily lead to a change in behaviour among drivers.

I think a mandatory traffic safety training course for all drivers that provides strategies to assist in managing behaviour when in cars should be developed as another step to reduce the number of accidents on our roads.

Other programs such as RYDA - a series of workshops for high school students changing the way they think about road safety - can go a long way towards equipping young people with the tools and knowledge they need to stay safe on the road.

Maybe it's time all drivers took a course in staying safe behind the wheel.

I will certainly be encouraging my young driver to do one and I might just join him.